vexillum

[ vek-sil-uhm ]

/ vɛkˈsɪl əm /

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noun, plural vex·il·la

[vek-sil-uh]. /vɛkˈsɪl ə/.

a military standard or flag carried by ancient Roman troops.

a group of men serving under such a standard.

video frequency.

Also vex·il

[vek-sil]. /ˈvɛk sɪl/. Botany. the large upper petal of a papilionaceous flower.

Ornithology Rare. the web or vane of a feather.

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Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of vexillum

1720–30; <Latin: standard, flag, diminutive from the base of vēlum sail (see veil)

Words nearby vexillum

vexed, vexillary, vexillate, vexillographer, vexillology, vexillum, vexing, VF, VFD, V-four, VFR

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vexillum in a sentence

The difference in the size of the cells on the calyx under the vexillum right down to the common peduncle is conspicuous.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II|Charles Darwin
When I saw the odd shape of the base of the vexillum, I concluded that it must have some meaning, but little dreamt what that was.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II|Charles Darwin
The barbs and barbules, together with the rachis, constitute the vexillum or vane of the feather.
The Vertebrate Skeleton|Sidney H. Reynolds
The Standard or Banner (Vexillum), the large upper petal which is external in the bud and wrapped around the others.
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray

Jussit prœterea Gabrielem vexillum laudis supra Meccanum Templum explicare.
Thalaba the Destroyer|Robert Southey

British Dictionary definitions for vexillum

vexillum

/ (vɛkˈsɪləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

ornithol the vane of a feather

botany another name for standard (def. 16)

Derived forms of vexillum

vexillary or vexillar, adjectivevexillate, adjective

Word Origin for vexillum

C18: from Latin: banner, perhaps from vēlum sail

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012